Donald T. Caswell, 90: World War II radio operator, loved golf

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Caswell

He was born to Andrew and Anne Burfitt Caswell on Oct. 14, 1923, in Limestone. Caswell grew up with his four brothers and four sisters in Brownville Junction.

He joined the U.S. Navy after graduating high school in 1942, and was stationed at the naval base in Bremerton, Wash., for the duration of World War II. He served as a radio operator on a supply ship that patrolled the Gulf of Alaska, going to Sitka, Skagway and Dutch Harbor.

After the war, he returned to the East Coast and earned a degree at the University of Maine, where he majored in history and art. He also became active in an officer training program while in college, and became an officer in the U.S. Air Force. During the Korean War, he served in Tripoli, North Africa.

At the age of 62, he retired from his job of 30 years, selling advertising in the Yellow Pages, and as a lieutenant colonel after 35 years in the Air National Guard.

Caswell met his wife, Joan, on a blind date, and they were married on May 9, 1950. They enjoyed playing bridge and poker with their close circle of friends. His favorite pastime was golf, and he never left the house without his clubs.

The couple were both communicants of Holy Cross Church in South Portland.

Caswell was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Joan Veilleux Caswell; brothers, Robert, Kenneth and Andrew; and sisters, Carol Hobson, Christine Mikulski and Margaret Caswell.

He is survived by his brother, Harley Caswell; sister, Eleanor Caswell McKay; three sons, Christopher and wife Karen, Daniel and wife Susan, and Terrence and wife Lisa; daughter, Jane Caswell Flynn and husband Jeffrey Flynn; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at the chapel, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian burial at Holy Cross Church, at the corner of Broadway and Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow with military rites at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.